Robert Glover is a 13-year-old boy living on a plantation in Maryland on the eve of the Civil War. Robert is white and his best friend William Henry is a free black.
Strange things are happening on the plantation. Robert’s dad sneaks out in the middle of the night and there’s a strange face peeking out of the attic windows. Robert is upset when he discovers William Henry knows more about these late night mysteries than he does and begs his father to let him help.
Then Robert’s mother receives word that her father is dying. They haven’t seen each other since she ran away to marry Robert’s father. She returns to the plantation and takes Robert with her. Seeing slavery from the other side changes Robert’s perspective. With his family divided, he must make up his own mind and discover if he is willing to stand for his beliefs.
The story was very interesting and as the Underground Railroad came to life, I was pulled into it. I read it in just a few days as I was eager to find out what happened. It also really made me think about issues and if I would be willing to stand against people I loved to do the right thing.
William Henry Is a Fine Name is a great book for both young adult and adult readers. The book is selling today for $7.49. Recommnended for grades 8 and up .
Click here to purchase William Henry Is a Fine Name
Recently several site users have mentioned young adult fiction titles as books they have enjoyed. Here are four of their recommendations.
The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner ($1.99) Jackie wrote: This is a GREAT series. I read The Thief about a year ago, and promptly got the next 2 (The Queen of Attolia ($5.99) and The King of Attolia ($6.99)) for my Kindle. I was so excited when I saw this great discount – my set is complete! This is one great buy everyone should take advantage of!
Book Description: The king’s scholar, the magus, believes he knows the site of an ancient treasure. To attain it for his king, he needs a skillful thief, and he selects Gen from the king’s prison. Their journey toward the treasure is both dangerous and difficult, lightened only imperceptibly by the tales they tell of the old gods and goddesses.
LuvMyKindle would gave a shout out for Glenn Bullion’s two stand alones, Demonspawn and Mind Slide. They are both YA paranormal’s with males as the lead characters; both are distinctive, fast-moving stories combining likeable characters, action, suspense, friendship, a bit of violence/horror, and (non-graphic) romance.
Demonspawn ($2.99) My name’s Alex. I used to think I was normal. I have a job, an apartment, good friends. I have a sister I adore, and the most beautiful woman in the world happens to be my best friend. I see ghosts. So what, right? It’s on television all the time. All kinds of people see ghosts. But seeing ghosts turns into seeing demons. Seeing demons turns into walking through walls. It only keeps getting better. It just so happens I’m half demon, the only one of my kind.
Mind Slide ($2.99) A random act of nature changed Mason’s life forever. He lost his parents on that fateful day, even his memories of them. But he gained something in return. Mason has the ability to “mind slide”, the ability to project his consciousness. He can be anywhere in the world. Watching. Listening.
Stupid Fast by Geoff Herbach ($1.99) Stacey wrote: Stupid Fast is a book that I have in my high school library, that never stays on the shelf. It is laugh out loud funny; I’ve even gotten the boys to pass it around.
Book Description: Fifteen-year-old Felton Reinstein has always been on the smallish side, but in his sophomore year he starts growing…and growing. During gym one day he smokes the football jocks in a 600-yard race. Felton has never been interested in sports, but there’s no doubt-he is “stupid fast.” As he juggles his newfound athletic prowess, his mom’s sudden depression, an annoying little brother, and his first love, he discovers a shocking secret about his past which explains why he’s turning out the way he is.
This 99 cent offering is a great example of the offerings available on the Kindle Fire for young readers.
Author Alina Adams explains in the introduction that Skate Crime is the fifth book in her series of ice skating mysteries, but the first to go multimedia. As a supercheap e-book, it is an excerpt from the full book, but is a very entertaining short story.
Toni Wright is determined to be a champion figure skater and she won’t let prejudice stand in her way. With support from her father and her coach and skating partner Lucian Pryce, she defies those who try to stop her.
At two points in the book, readers can click on You Tube video links to watch ice skating performances by The Ice Theatre of New York. They are enjoyable to watch and really bring the story to life. Buy this story for 99 cents today.
Click here to purchase Skate Crimes Multimedia
Young readers who are fans of figure skating will enjoy this book and the videos. The excerpt ends with a cliff hanger, so you might also want to purchase the full book Skate Crime: A Figure Skating Mystery, which is priced at $6.99.
I (Susan) thoroughly enjoyed Dairy Queen, a young adult novel that was the first book I read on the Kindle Fire. Tweens and teens alike will enjoy this book.
DJ Schwenk is the dairy queen, a high school junior having to take othe bulk of chores milking cows on the family farm because her dad injured his hip. The Schwenk family is big into football – Her older brothers were football stars at Red Bend High School and are now playing college football. 
Younger brother Curtis doesn’t talk and her mom is wrapped up in her job at school.
Brian Nelson, quarterback of the rival high school, shows up at the Schwenk farm to help with chores. DJ helps him develop a training regimen and work on improving his arm. She is so good at it, in fact, that DJ decides to try out for the football team.
The move brings to a head issues with her father and the rest of the family, as well as Brian.
Dairy Queen is funny and touching. DJ’s description of farm chores was accurate and hilarious. What I loved best of all was how she was a completely consistent character, while also growing and figuring out who she was. She is one of the most believable characters I’ve read in a long time. The family relationships were true to life and an integral part of the story. The book started out a bit slow, but once it picked up, I finished the last half of the book in one evening. The Dairy Queen is selling for $5.39. Sequels The Off Season and Front and Center are also priced at $5.39 each.
I just read this book and am delighted to tell you it is being offered for $1.99 on the Kindle.
If you believe in fairy tales, or just enjoy the magic of romance, you’ll love Melanie Dickerson’s newest book The Merchant’s Daughter.
This Christian fiction is loosely based on the classic tale of Beauty and the Beast. Like her first novel, The Healer’s Apprentice ($1.99) inspired by Sleeping Beauty, this story is set in medieval Europe, this time in England.
Anabel is the daughter of a merchant, but after his death her family does not fulfill its obligation to work in the lord’s fields. She is forced to become an indentured servant for three years at the home of Lord Ranulf le Wyse. Rumors swirl about the irritable Lord le Wyse, who lost an eye and the use of his hand when he was mauled by a wolf. Anabel longs to join a nunnery, so she can read the Bible and escape marriage to Bailiff Tom, which her brother is trying to force upon her.
When Lord le Wyse protects her against the bailiff’s advances, a fragile friendship grows between them and Anabel believes he may not be the beast the servant girls whisper that he is.
This is an enchanting story with engaging characters, although at times I was frustrated with Anabel’s indecision. This is actually Christian fiction for young adults, so it reads quickly and the romance is tender, yet I thoroughly enjoyed it. A very interesting part of the story explored the challenges for people who didn’t have access to the Bible and priests who did not preach the word.
The Merchant’s Daughter is SuperCheap at just $1.99 on Kindle.
The Book of Biff is a single panel comic about spaghetti, time travel and toast. The strip centers around a child-like mad scientist named Biff who may be part cockroach or possibly an alien. He lives a solitary life in a world that he appears to have all to himself. Not a single word is spoken and no other soul is seen.
I purchased Split Personality (The Book of Biff #5) and read the cartoons on my Kindle and my Samsung Tab to see the color version. The images are sharp on the Kindle and will display only one panel per page with the caption on the same panel if the font size is set on one of the four smaller options and the Kindle is set to portrait orientation. With the black and white shades on the Kindle, it was comparable to the daily newspaper comics.
Viewing the comics on the Tab with the color was enjoyable, but certainly isn’t required to enjoy the book.
The content is quirky and fun. Chris Hallback takes ordinary life events and adds a touch of humor. One of my favorites is the cartoon of Biff on the scales with a caption about weighing himself in the morning after eating a bowl of helium grapes. My first thought was, “Could I do that?” On the subject of weight, the cartoon about some foods requiring a wardrobe modification was very amusing.
These cartoons will appeal to teens and even children as young as 10 if they have a well-developed sense of humor.
The Book of Biff #1 Target Practice: This collection explores alternate uses for hand puppets, the proper use of an electric tennis ball and the importance of keeping your immovable object dry. 105 pages. Full color (on color devices.)
The Book of Biff #5 Split Personality: This collection explores the dangers of peanut brittle, unpredictable results of the caffeinated office worker and traveling through time while your clothing did not. 142 pages. Full color (on color devices.)
Mary Clare has purposed in her heart to commit her life to serving God and the Catholic church, becoming a mother superior in her quest for perfection. A topic this serious should not be laugh-out-loud funny, but it is. With Saint Training, Elizabeth Fixmer has written a delightful novel for the middle grades that is a funny read for children and adults alike.
Mary Clare is the oldest daughter in a very large family. She takes on the weight of too little money for the family’s needs, too much work to be done around the house, and too many changes in her world and around the world in 1967.
Mary Clare experiences conflicted feelings as she tries to fix everything around her, understand her changing emotions, and practice being a saint, sin-free and serving others. In seeking sinlessness, poor Mary Clare is a failure before she begins, but her dogged determination is admirable.
If you are familiar with Catholic schools or mass, the book will be more meaningful. Even without the background, the book is enjoyable. Not reading this book just might be a sin.
I downloaded the book when Zondervan Publishing offered it free last year. Today Saint Training is selling for only 99 cents . The book isn’t preachy; there’s no hidden message; it’s just a fun read.
This is an interactive book about moral choices for children 6-12. There are 25 stories about moral dilemmas and the reader is asked what he or she would do in that situation. Each story is also followed by thought questions which stimulate great discussions both in the home and in the classroom. The stories are fun for the kids to read and they get them thinking and talking about important moral issues. The book has received excellent reviews and is a wonderful resource for both the home and the classroom. You can buy this book for only 99 cents today – price changes on July 27.
I read through several of the moral dilemmas. They were realistic examples of choices that children face and need guidance or another point of view to make wise choices. Each dilemma also has 6-8 discussion questions to keep the conversation going. Honestly, this would be a great refresher course for teens and adults, too.
Click here to purchase If You Had to Choose, What Would You Do?
Castles, spells, dukes, maidens and a fairy tale ending – The Healer’s Apprentice is a once-upon-a-time story that is enchanting to read. This young adult book is being offered now for just 99 cents!
The tale takes place in 1386 in the fictional setting of Hagenheim, Saxony, a rich context for the all kinds of adventure. Rose is the wood cutter’s daughter, but is chosen by the town healer’s to be her apprentice. Rose lives within the castle walls, but when the sight of blood makes her weak, she worries she won’t succeed as a healer. But she must because otherwise she’d have to marry the disgusting wool merchant her mother picked out for her.
When Lord Hamlin, the future Duke is injured, Rose fights her fear to tend to him, opening a door to a tender friendship.
Rose’s beauty captures the eye of Lord Rupert, the trifling younger son of the duke. Rose frets that Lord Rupert’s intentions are less than honorable and that people are talking about it. She’d much rather spend time with Lord Hamlin, but he is consumed with tracking down Moncore – the evil sorcerer who has caused Lord Hamlin’s betrothed to remain in hiding all her life.
Author Melanie Dickerson said this story was inspired after watching “Sleeping Beauty” with her young daughters and the book is loosely based on the fairy tale. The Healer’s Apprentice has the heroic rescue every little girl dreams of, but it’s certainly more vivid than any storybook.
Click here to purchase The Healer’s Apprentice
Hailey Twitch is curious young girl who likes to have fun – which leads to all kinds of trouble.
Hailey knows she won’t be having much fun when she is assigned Addie Jokobeck as partner for the international foods festival because Addie is a rule monger. 
Then, Hailey discovers Maybelle, a sprite who lives in her dollhouse. Maybelle is on probation from the Kingdom of Magic until she learns how to have fun.
Maybelle’s idea of fun, however, seems to be causing all sorts of problems for Hailey. When the list of partners for the international festival gets thrown in the trash, it looks like Hailey may suffer the consequences.
This is a funny book with wonderful drawings. The ending was more of a set up for the next book in the series rather than a satisfying conclusion. Hailey is in 2nd grade, although this chapter book is probably better suited for third and fourth grade readers. I got the book when it was offered free. The price is now $5.38.
Click here to purchase Hailey Twitch Is Not Snitch